Weddings

A great many people today elect for a “Civil” wedding ceremony as it suits their needs and their beliefs. Many do so because they do not hold to any particular beliefs and it seems hypocritical to them to be married in a church that does not support their feelings. Many other people though come from a faith or religious background but, for whatever reason, find that they no longer go to church or belong to a particular faith community. This does not mean they no longer believe in God (however they perceive God) or that they do not want to have a minister perform their wedding ceremony.

Sadly, many larger denominations do not perform wedding ceremonies for couples that are not active members of their church. Some will not marry divorcees or perform ceremonies for couples of “mixed faith” backgrounds. For these reasons amongst others, many couples have been forced to settle for a civil ceremony when they would have preferred a traditional ceremony with a minister joining them in Holy Matrimony.

With Archbishop Ron you have a choice. As both an authorised civil and religious celebrant, Archbishop Ron is here to meet your wedding needs. Everything (except the legal requirements) is negotiable with Bishop Ron.

Read on for further information on how to make your special day even more special.

Most people are familiar with the various styles of weddings available today. The full church ceremony, a simple ceremony in a Garden, a wedding on the Blue Mountains or on a beach. How you celebrate your special day is up to you. Archbishop Ron has celebrated weddings in churches, parks, halls, reception rooms and many other settings, and is amenable to most settings and styles. Archbishop Ron will work with you to find a style and ceremony that fits your needs. The only limitation is that the setting must be legal and safe for the couple, the guests and (of course), Bishop Ron.

As far as the actual words used are concerned, you can choose from a selection of suggested religious ceremonies or you can write your own fully civil ceremony. There are only a few specific words required by Australian law and the rest is up to you and your celebrant. A fully religious ceremony or a simple declaration of love and exchange of vows; the choice is yours!

Depending on where you choose to have your ceremony, you may wish to have live music. Archbishop Ronald is happy to recommend professional musicians who will work with you to make your day even more special! You can choose from a single musician to a three-piece combination. Archbishop Ron is also able to recommend an experienced wedding photographer who will make sure you have memories that will last a lifetime. Please note that these people are self-employed and do not “work” for Bishop Ron and all your negotiations with them will be separate from your discussions with him; he does not receive a commission or any other “kickback”. Obviously, we will all work together to make sure that everything falls into place. Best of all these professionals charge very reasonable fees. A wedding does not have to cost and arm and a leg.

Official notice (on the official form) must be received by Archbishop Ron at least one month and one day prior to your ceremony to satisfy Australian Law. You will probably need more time than this to make your other arrangements, send out invitations, book a reception etc. Having decided to use the services of Bishop Ron, you should always book with him before sending out the invitations. This way you can be sure that you will have the celebrant of your choice. You should allow extra time if you wish to have rehearsals or book a special venue for your service or reception. You can even use the reception rooms for the actual service in many instances. Please check with the reception rooms you are using.

If you only require a simple ceremony, but do not wish to use the registry Office, Bishop Ron can arrange to perform the ceremony in your own home, or in his office.

The fee payable to Archbishop Ron will depend greatly on your needs and the time involved in preparing, attending, and performing the ceremony. Please note that Bishop Ron will never refuse to perform a wedding because a couple cannot afford the fees. Most of the fees received by Bishop Ron will go to assist his work in Thailand and other foreign countries (no, they are not tax-deductible). You will get much cheaper fees from some celebrants whose only interest is numbers and volume. Remember though that you get what you pay for; Archbishop Ron is a well-educated and experienced professional who charges an appropriate fee for a professional service.

The average wedding will attract a fee of $950 and includes all necessary meetings, paperwork preparation, rehearsal if required, attendance and follow up. (Current at July 2019)

This fee ensures you have Archbishop Ron for all your pre-wedding needs and consultations, he will attend the specified venue at least 45 minutes before the ceremony and he will continue to be available to you for further consultations after the ceremony date.

Archbishop Ron often has more than one ceremony booked on a given day but if you so desire, he can be him available to you exclusively on your day for a fee of $1495. A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required to secure your booking. Bishop Ron will provide you with an exact fee after discussing your needs with you.

Full payment of the fees is required at least 14 days prior to the ceremony.
Commitment Ceremonies, Christenings, House blessings, and funerals are individually priced but start from $450.

All fees shown include travel within 40 KM of Hurstville. Extra fees may apply for lengthy travel or special parking such as The Opera House, Botanic Gardens etc.